Entry Description: Archer is TP-Link’s latest hi-speed AC router, a blazing 3x faster than typical routers. Six antennas hinge out from the center to provide perfect 360-degree wireless coverage. Instead of fretting about the high antenna count, we decided to embrace it by building the design story around the multiple antennas. When in the closed position the unit is clean and quiet but when the consumer opens each antenna - one by one - it simply screams connectivity.
The top surface is populated by numerous vents as the router produces high amounts of heat and needs to cool down appropriately. To embrace this design challenge, we decided to create a simple geometric vent pattern of small repeating triangles that mimic the larger shapes of the top surface. The bottom has a similar triangular pattern. Another design challenge we needed to overcome was the height of the router, again taking the heat factor into account. To provide efficient air flow the bottom base drafts inwards making Archer seem like it is floating thus giving it a slimmer more elegant appearance.
Archer isn’t meant to be hidden in a closet or placed on the floor – it is a grand celebration of technology that becomes a centerpiece and a conversation starter. It’s a device that the end-user wants to show off in their homes, while still securing a top quality connection speed.

About the Designer/Company
Whipsaw is an Industrial Design & Engineering consulting firm located in San Jose and San Francisco, California. Whipsaw focuses on innovative product design, UX, development and branding. Whipsaw creates products and experiences across many diverse categories including consumer electronics, housewares, medical, wearables, computing, scientific, industrial, and business products. Whipsawâ€™s clients range from large corporations like Avaya, Bosch, Cisco, Clorox, Ford, GE, Google, Haier, Intel, Leitz, Merck, Motorola, Nike, Olympus, Samsung, Sony, and TP-Link plus exciting startups like Apnicure, Avinger, Highfive, Livescribe, OM Signal and Sprimo.
The Whipsaw team has created hundreds of successful products for its clients. Our market hits include the Google OnHub, the original Google Chromecast, Nike+ FuelBand, Dell Precision computers, Livescribe smartpens, Dropcam security cameras, Eton emergency radios, the Adiri baby bottle, Cisco/Linksys routers, Yubo lunch boxes, Intel healthcare tablets, the Kaleidescape Cinema One, Leapfrog LeapPads, Roku TV boxes, Topcon survey equipment, and TP-Link networking devices.
Whipsaw has won over 240 Industrial Design awards including many IDEA, Red Dot, iF, MDEA, G-Marks, CES Innovations, and D&AD awards.
Fast Company magazine ranked Whipsaw among the Top 5 design firms in the world and honored Whipsaw CEO Dan Harden as one of the 100 most creative people in business.
Whipsawâ€™s creations are in the permanent collection at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, and the Pasadena Museum of California Art.